2 cases; 2 freed of Attempted Murder charges

And in the Belize City Magistrate Court, another nolle prosequi was entered when again the prosecution was unable to proceed with the case. This time twenty three year old Gregory Johnson, was freed of the charge of Attempted Murder of twenty-one year old Ismael Locke who was shot in the abdomen on October thirteenth, 2006. Johnson walked when crown counsel Cecil Ramirez informed the court of Justice Herbert Lord that Locke could not be located to testify. Johnson was also charged with Grievous Harm and Use of Deadly Means of Harm. Those charges were also withdrawn. Locke had reported to the police that he and his friend had passed by Johnson’s house and saw him in his yard on Rio Bravo Crescent. Locke said he was heading to his mother’s house where he got two machetes, one which he gave to his friend and they began to walk back towards the yard. And according to Locke when they reached the area of Johnson’s house, a confrontation broke out. Locke said Johnson threatened to kill him, his girlfriend and his friend. When he walked away he heard a gunshot and he then felt the pain in his abdomen and fell to the ground. Locke was taken to the K.H.M.H. Johnson appeared unrepresented in Court.

And twenty-five year old Ryne Arnold, charged with the attempted murder of twenty six year old Windell Anthony who was shot in his chest on December twenty-eighth, 2006, was freed of the charge today in the court of Herbert Lord when senior Crown Counsel Ceclil Ramirez entered a nolle prosequi, indicating that the prosecution cannot proceed because Anthony could not be located. Arnold was freed of the charge but will have to remain behind bars because he is serving a sentence of three years for convictions of keeping firearm and ammunition without a gun license.

Anthony reported to the police that he was riding his black beach cruiser bicycle on Antelope Street Extension when he noticed that Arnold was following him on bicycle. When he reached the corner of Central American Boulevard, Arnold stopped about ten yards away and asked Anthony to show him his cell phone. Arnold rode up, took out a small pistol and reportedly shot him in his chest. Anthony rode off and went as far as One Stop gas station where he was picked up by a police pick-up truck and taken to the hospital.